There are pleasures in delayed gratification. I waited until now to try my one bottle of this wine. I was rewarded. Translucent red in color. Lavender and moist earth with cherry notes on the nose. Bright, lively fruit, cherries, blueberries, eucalyptus. Fine tannins, brilliant acidity, great balance. Touch of minerals on the mid-palate. Finishes long and bright. Lovely and could go 10 more years. Is it varietally correct for Mondeuse? I have no idea, but it's great. From vines planted in 1910. 14.3% ABV.
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The Generosity of Steve Nordhoff Blind (Antonello Ristorante): Very herbal nose showing some aged and rustic qualities. Lean feeling palate that shows great balance with some great acidity. Terrific effort that reminds me in style of a 10 year South Rhone wine while exhibiting some nice Cali fruit.
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Steve's Blind Tasting (Antonello Ristorante - Costa Mesa, CA): I thought this might have been Sangiovese when I tasted it. Old world in character this wine exhibits earthy notes of dried cherries, anise, leather, and roses. Grippy on the palate with vibrant acidity. As a recently-converted Italophile, LB loved this wine. I enjoyed it too, but thought the tannins would outlive the fruit.
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Hanging With Stevie N and The OC Gang, Doing It Blind (Antanello's In Costa Mesa (Orange County)): Poured from a magnum and served blind. My intial impression was a wine of about 10 years in age, as it showed the older nose with a light cream and sweet tobacco and light cedar. All of this rang for me like a 99 CA cab or something in that vein. Palate of currant, cherry, some light chocolate and notable acidity. Revealed to be the Carlisle and the first edition of this wine that he made, according to CT.
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I was surprised by the relatively lite mouthfeel for a wine that had been described by some as a "monster". It was very elegant and well balanced with very focused Rainier cherry fruit (almost Kirsh like) and spice. I will continue to hold the few bottles I have of later vintages with eager anticipation.
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6/25/2021 - Charlie C Likes this wine: 94 Points
There are pleasures in delayed gratification. I waited until now to try my one bottle of this wine. I was rewarded. Translucent red in color.
Lavender and moist earth with cherry notes on the nose. Bright, lively fruit, cherries, blueberries, eucalyptus. Fine tannins, brilliant acidity, great balance. Touch of minerals on the mid-palate. Finishes long and bright. Lovely and could go 10 more years. Is it varietally correct for Mondeuse? I have no idea, but it's great. From vines planted in 1910. 14.3% ABV.
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12/18/2010 - AllRed wrote: 86 Points
4th Saturday group "uptown" tasting (Joe P's): Tart cherry notes, with candied cherry fruit turning sour on the finish.
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3/14/2009 - WetRock wrote:
The Generosity of Steve Nordhoff Blind (Antonello Ristorante): Very herbal nose showing some aged and rustic qualities. Lean feeling palate that shows great balance with some great acidity. Terrific effort that reminds me in style of a 10 year South Rhone wine while exhibiting some nice Cali fruit.
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3/14/2009 - Paul Lin wrote: 91 Points
Steve's Blind Tasting (Antonello Ristorante - Costa Mesa, CA): I thought this might have been Sangiovese when I tasted it. Old world in character this wine exhibits earthy notes of dried cherries, anise, leather, and roses. Grippy on the palate with vibrant acidity. As a recently-converted Italophile, LB loved this wine. I enjoyed it too, but thought the tannins would outlive the fruit.
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3/14/2009 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Hanging With Stevie N and The OC Gang, Doing It Blind (Antanello's In Costa Mesa (Orange County)): Poured from a magnum and served blind. My intial impression was a wine of about 10 years in age, as it showed the older nose with a light cream and sweet tobacco and light cedar. All of this rang for me like a 99 CA cab or something in that vein. Palate of currant, cherry, some light chocolate and notable acidity. Revealed to be the Carlisle and the first edition of this wine that he made, according to CT.
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12/10/2006 - zheem wrote:
I was surprised by the relatively lite mouthfeel for a wine that had been described by some as a "monster". It was very elegant and well balanced with very focused Rainier cherry fruit (almost Kirsh like) and spice. I will continue to hold the few bottles I have of later vintages with eager anticipation.
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